Week of Sept. 12

6th grade:
You need your Essential Elements Book 1 for next week! Please purchase from JW Pepper or me. It costs $9.
Note names for songs:
Twinkle:
D D A A B B A -
G G F#F# E E D -
A A G G F#F# E-
A A G G F#F# E-
D D A A B B A -
G G F#F# E E D -

Boil them Cabbages
F#F#F#F# G - G -
F#F#F#F# E - E -
F#F#F#F# G G G G
F#F# E E D- D -
(Also play with double stops and "Down Kitty Up Kitty" rhythm)

7th grade:
Refine old pieces - TUNE! TUNE! TUNE!
Begin "Campfire"
*Pizzicato
*Play slowly at the balance point
*Practice spiccato on open strings
*Practice song up to tempo with spiccato at the balance point

8th grade:
Finish learning Toccatina - the key signature STILL has one flat on page 2!
Refine Jericho - TUNE! TUNE! TUNE!
New piece - Fiddler's Stew - learn notes and rhythms. How much can YOU figure out?

Alpaca picture of the week:
To make sure a cria is thriving, you have to weigh it every day. It should gain between .3-.7 pounds in a day. Dark Star has been alive for 8 days. He started at 20.3 pounds and now weighs 24.8 pounds. Is he doing OK? (Write your answer on a piece of paper and put it in the practice card box! Don't forget your name!)

Dark Star has to hang in the scale. Neither he nor his mom like that too much. Lots of humming during this time of night!

Here's mom getting some grass. Dark Star looks lost...

(Did mom sign my practice card this week?? I did practice humming a lot!!)

Don't forget to turn in practice cards on Monday! 6th Graders, we will get our practice card this coming week!

Short Week 9/6/11 - and a surprise!

Hope everyone's Labor Day was wonderful! 7th & 8th graders - please turn in practice cards Tuesday and Wednesday this week!

6th grade:
Click on your "Beginning Instrument" link on the right to get a list of posture tips and notes for beginning songs.
Bow exercises on OPEN STRINGS only.
Plucking songs that require fingers.
Assignments given on paper throughout week.

7th grade:
Click on "Metronome" on the right and then on "A440." You will hear an "A" that you can tune to. You can use the metronome to check if you are practicing your pieces with a steady beat.
TUNE!
C, G, and D Scales for warmup - also pgs. 2-6 in Purple book.
Fine tune Wild Western Frontier
Work out the middle and end of Sonata Vivant. 37-end.

8th grade:
Click on "Metronome" on the right and then on "A440." You will hear an "A" that you can tune to. You can use the metronome to check if you are practicing your pieces with a steady beat.
TUNE!
Green book pgs. 2-5 for shifting
Scales and exercises for Toccatina
Toccatina - tuning
Jericho - tuning

And... as many of you know, my husband and I have a small alpaca farm. Yesterday, we had our first birth on the farm - a little boy cria named Dark Star. Cria is the word for "baby alpaca." As promised, here is the picture. He has to wear the little coat to keep warm. Alpaca crias cannot regulate their body temperature for the first few days of life. More pictures next week... Stay tuned (Get it? Tuned?) for more pictures and updates next week!

Welcome back!

It's time to play in Orchestra again - HOORAY! I am reviving this blog to help keep you abreast of what is going on in our classroom and what your student should be PRACTICING!

Also this week - Back to School Night is Tuesday, August 30 from 7-9. Come meet all of your student's teachers!

Just a little reminder:
7th and 8th grade practice cards are due TODAY or TOMORROW. (And every Monday or Tuesday.)
They should show 4 days of practicing for 30 minutes each day.
Please have a parent or guardian sign before turning in!
Let's start the semester out with an A+!

Practice assignments: 6th Grade
An assignment will be given daily in the form of a hand out.
Students should take their instruments home 2-3 times this week INCLUDING Friday.
Students who still don't have instruments and accessories: please take care of this detail this week.

6th grade Orchestra IB students and families communicate: please call Mrs. Ohly-Davis with any questions or concerns.

7th Grade
"Purple Books" (Essential Elements 2000, book 2) are available at JW Pepper or from me. Bring $8 to class.
Your practice routine should look like this:
TUNE!!! That's right, with your fine tuners.
Scales - D, G, and C
Purple Book Review pgs. 2-7
Sonata Vivant
Wild Western Frontier
Record your practicing on your practice card.

7th grade Orchestra IB students inquire: What is a FRONTIER? How will we perform the piece based on our knowledge of what a frontier is?

8th Grade
"Green Books" (Essential Techniques) are available at JW Pepper or from me. Bring $5.50 to class.
Your practice routine should look like this:
TUNE!!! With fine tuners, double stops, and harmonics
Green Book, pg 2-5
Toccatina Learning Concepts, especially the D melodic minor scale
Toccatina
G melodic minor scale
Jericho

8th grade Orchestra IB students are KNOWLEDGABLE: What is a key signature? What is the order of the sharps and flats?

SOLO & ENSEMBLE, Part 2

Solo and Ensemble is still happening at Westfield on Saturday. Students who left instruments at school may pick them up today. Mrs. Levenhagen is working today and can open Door 1 for you and summon a custodian to open the Orchestra room door. I will be at school between 2-3:15 as well. My apologies for unanswered emails. My school account only sends blank emails from home...

On Saturday: Make sure to arrive 30 minutes prior to your performance time. Meet me, Ms. Bell and your group in the warm-up room. You will report to the performance room 5-10 minutes before you play to check in with the door monitor. Soloists, I have your judge's copies of your scores. You cannot play for the judge without them. Please make sure to see me or Ms. Bell before you play, otherwise you will receive a lower rating. Can't wait to see all of you tomorrow!

SOLO & ENSEMBLE UPDATE!!

As of the time of this posting, Solo & Ensemble is still going to happen on Saturday at Westfield Middle School. I will post updates here as I receive them. I will post further information about when students who forgot their instruments can pick them up tomorrow, Friday, February 4. At the latest, the next post will be up at 9:00 AM Friday morning. Hope everyone had a restful week!

Thank you for a great year!

Thank you for a great year this year. A big thanks to the 8th graders for your thoughtful bouquet (see picture) and your "dropped instrument payment" of many more candy bars than I could ever eat! Come back and visit; surely there will be some left over!

I will checking my school email weekly over the summer if you have any questions or need your instrument tuned.

And don't forget: SUMMER ORCHESTRA AT NCHS is right around the corner.

New 9-12th graders: July 12-16, 1-4PM
New 7th and 8th graders: July 19-23, 8-4PM

Let me know via email if you forgot to sign up and would like to join us. We are accepting campers until the first day of camp. See you then!

HAPPY MUSICAL SUMMER TO ALL!

CONCERT HANDOUTS & KINGS ISLAND INFO

7th & 8th Grade End of Year Info

Dear 7th & 8th Grade Orchestra Parents and Students:

The last full week of school is extremely busy with events, especially for 8th Graders and students who play sports. It is imperative that we all work together to make these events happen as painlessly as possible for the students.

I have given students in sports a letter for coaches, so that it will be easier for them to explain their absence from practice on Monday, May 17, and their need to be excused in a timely manner on Tuesday, May 18.

Unfortunately, our Convocation Concert was moved to Friday, May 21, after the conclusion of mandatory math tests and 8th Grade Celebrations and trip. Please help your student remember to dress in concert dress on that day. ONLY 7th & 8th Graders PLAY IN THE CONVO!!!

Finally, we need some snack and Capri Sun / bottled water donations for both the Kings Island trip and the Mandatory Rehearsal. Please send these items to school with students by Friday, May 14.

As always, thanks for your support.
Mrs. Ohly-Davis: 259-5421 x806; eohly-davis@msdwt.k12.in.us

SATURDAY, MAY 15 – KINGS ISLAND TRIP, see attached timeline and info sheet

MONDAY, MAY 17 – MANDATORY CONCERT ORCHESTRA REHEARSAL
4:00-5:30PM
Snacks provided
Event has grade points attached

TUESDAY, MAY 18 – CONCERT at 8:00PM, NORTHVIEW AUDITORIUM
Arrive by 7:30PM – 7th & 8th grade meets in Band Room, get music & instrument.
Event has grade points attached
Students in sports may stash dress clothes and packed dinner in Orchestra Library.
Students in sports should arrange a RIDE from their meet/game to arrive on time!
Concert Dress
Black or navy dress pants
Dark dress shoes
White dress shirt (strings)
Band shirt (winds, brass, percussion)
NO JEANS, T-SHIRTS, SNEAKERS

FRIDAY, MAY 21 – CONVOCATION CONCERT at 9:30AM, NORTHVIEW AUD.
7th & 8th Grade Concert Orchestra ONLY!
Check in with first teacher, then come down to Stage by 9:00.
CONCERT DRESS – SEE GUIDELINES ABOVE!

Letter to Spring Sports Coach

May 5, 2010

Dear Spring Sports Coach:

I would like to make you aware of some Orchestra events that may conflict with your sport and ask your understanding in getting the students to participate in both of our events. Both of the events have a grade attached to them.

First, I am having a Mandatory Rehearsal on Monday, May 17 from 4:00-5:30PM. This is the only time I can get 96 students on the stage all at once before the concert. Would you kindly excuse all students who DO NOT HAVE A GAME that day from practice? I have in my notes that only 8th Grade Girls Softball has a game that day.

Second, the Orchestra concert is Tuesday, May 18 at 8:00PM. I expect students to be in concert dress with their instrument ready by 7:30. Please excuse them so that they can make this deadline on time. They should have carpools and dinner arranged ahead of time. My notes suggest that this affects students involved in the District Track Meet and 7th Grade Girls Softball.

Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.

Thanks for your support!
Elisabeth Ohly-Davis
Northview Orchestra
259-5421 ext. 806
eohly-davis@msdwt.k12.in.us



Kings Island 2010
Northview Orchestra
Saturday, MAY 15

DRESS: JEANS, KHAKIS, SHORTS, casual shoes, yellow NV concert polo OR black music T-shirt – for all of our safety!!


TIMELINE

7:45 AM - Chaperone Check-in at Door 5
Students report for T-shirt pick-up at Door 5
8:00 AM - load buses, take attendance
8:15 AM - leave NV for Kings Island
9:15 AM - or thereabouts - reach Batesville rest stop - CHOWTIME!!!
(CLEAN UP YOUR MESS – NO LITTERING!!)
10:30 AM - Arrive at main gate of Kings Island; tickets will be passed out as you leave bus; (NO ONE MAY RE-ENTER THE BUS UNTIL TIME TO LEAVE THE PARK)
2:00 PM - CHECK IN AT THE EIFFEL TOWER (for your safety)
You MUST report in at the chaperone station between 2:00 and
3:00PM. No exceptions; NO TARDIES! Green sheet is consequence.
4:45 PM – Optional – Support choir friends at the Award Ceremony in TimberwolfAmphitheater.
6:45 PM- FINAL CHECK-IN at front of park by FOUNTAINS; stay with the group after check-in, and return to the buses in small groups.
> Know your bus number
>Use restroom and get dinner BEFORE checking in!
7:00 PM - Final attendance taken on buses. BE THERE!!!!

10:00 PM - ARRIVE AT NORTHVIEW
➢ Turn in T-shirt
➢ Clean up your trash on bus
➢ Have your ride ready to pick you up!

(OVER)

Northview am drop-off: Door #5
Evening pick-up: Door #5 -auditorium


FINAL NOTES:

1. Dress appropriately for the weather predictions; bring an extra shirt or jacket for the bus. NV Orchestra or Band polo shirts must be worn the whole day in park.

2. WEAR A WATCH - You must be on time!! Cell phones are permitted.

3. If you need any kind of help at any time, come to the chaperone station at the Eiffel Tower. We will have an adult on duty there all day.

4. If you are going home with your own parent, he or she must sign you out at the chaperone station, (Eiffel Tower). Bottom line: if you won’t be coming home on the bus, you have to be properly signed out before 6:30PM. You may not go home with someone who is not your parent!

>TURN IN YOUR NV T-SHIRT WHEN YOU ARE SIGNED OUT<

5. Each NV student must be with at least one other NV student at all times. If you get separated, go IMMEDIATELY to Eiffel Tower, (the chaperone station) and wait for a group that you can join.

6. Students are to wear either the yellow concert shirt or black Northview Music shirt all day. This is for your safety and quick identification in case of emergency. NO EXCEPTIONS!

7. Bring some money for a snack or meal. Refreshments will be served on the bus in the morning, but it won’t be enough to last all day!

8. Behavior at all times is to be according to acceptable standards as stated in the NV handbook. Any problems will be handled by the principals on Monday, and could result in serious consequences.

9. Do not bring anything that you would hate to lose. The buses are not totally secure, and there are no guarantees about lost personal items. There are lockers in the park.

10. Behavior on the bus includes the “NO SHRIEK” Rule. Loud stereos, screaming, singing will not be part of this trip. Throwing objects on the bus will be treated the same as throwing objects in the classroom. (green sheet, etc.)
HAVE A GREAT TIME - BUT NOT AT SOMEONE ELSE’S EXPENSE. As a representative of Northview Middle School, you are to act responsibly at all times.
CARRY THIS SHEET WITH YOU AT ALL TIMES



SPRING POPS CONCERT INFO for SIXTH GRADE

Tuesday, May 18
8:00 PM – Arrive in Orchestra room by 7:30 PM
Concert Dress
White dress shirt
Black or dark blue dress pants
Dark dress shoes
Music:
Walking Basses
Kings Court
Habanera
Extra Rehearsals:
Monday, May 17 – everyone meets Period 7
Tuesday, May 18 – everyone meets Period 8

Students will stay to hear the 7th and 8th grade Concert Orchestra.

Students involved in sports on the concert night: PLAN AHEAD!
Pack a dinner.
Bring concert clothes to school and store in Orchestra room, if you wish.
Have parent or a carpool get you from your game to school so you are not late!
Tell your coach you have a conflict.